Concrete mixer skip



Nov. 17, 1942. P. M. RICHARDS CONCRETE MIXER SKIP 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1940 Pergy M fic/zafais MW 7 W m Nov. 17, 1942. P. M. RICHARDS CONCRETE MIXER SKIP Filed Nov. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Pergy M Richards BY 0.9964 Q-W Patented Nov. 17, 1942 were STATES 'fi-E'i OFFICE 2,302,255 CONCRETE MIXER SKIP Percy M, Richards, Evanston, 111., assignor to Stev phen A. Healy, Hinsdale, Ill.

Application November 28, 194.0,'Seria1No. 367,488

a'olaimis'. (01. 214-130) My invention relates to an improvement in tion of this dust issues from, and is due to the lack of proper covers over, the openings inthe receiving ends of said skips.

This condition inconveniences and annoys those operating, the skips and mixers and has a tendency to decrease their working efl'lciency. In cases where saidskips and mixers are being operated in public or crowded places, said condition further .causes annoyance and discomfort to people in thevicinity. The issuance of dust in the form of fine cement, sand or other parti---' cles also causes deposits to form on buildings; streets, lawns and all other adjacent "property, including the mixer machinery itself, and soils the clothes of the operators, passersby, and all others in the immediate locality and tends to irritate the eyes, nasal and. throat passages of those with whom it comes in contact, iand if endured for any great length of time can cause serious physical damage.

The issuance of dust from the skips in the form of fine cement has other undesirable efiects. Be-

sides causing a considerable loss in cement in operations'of a large nature, it also tends to make a lean mix, or a mix deficient in cement content and also tends tomaterially change the water-cement ratio of the concrete mixture. Both of these efiects produce an inferior concrete, both in strength, wearing ability and appearance.

In the operation of concrete mixer skips of conventional design, a great deal of noise is also produced in the process of dumping the various concrete ingredients from the skips into the mixing chambers. This is caused to a large extent by the banging and crashing of the stone and gravel comprising the aggregate, against the inner surfaces of the skips and. the mixing chambers and the issuance of said noise through the openings in the receiving ends of said skips to the outside air.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved and efficient concrete-mixer skip havthe opening in the receiving'end thereof by closing over said receiving opening while the skip is in operation.

Another object is means, to maintainan accurate and proper mix andwatencement ratio.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved and eflicient concrete-mixer skip having a cover for the receiving opening that will decrease the noise issuing therefrom during the operation of the skip.

A further object of my invention is to provide automatic means for opening and closing said cover, by the operation of the skip itself so that the cover will be opened when the skip is to be charged with ingredients and closed when the skip is discharging into the mixer.

' Other objects and'advantages'will appear as the invention is hereinafter developed.

. these brackets.

In one embodiment of my invention a concrete-mixer skip of the usual construction, having receiving and discharge openings therein, is provided witha cover for the receiving opening,

- comprising a rigid framework conforming to the shape of said opening at its junction therewith and extending convexly therefrom so' as to be capable of being closed when the skip is fully charged. It is possible to have this cover in the form of a plane or concavely shaped, and both are contemplated in this invention. The framework is provided with a dust retaining covering secured to its exterior surface and is hinged to the skipfalong a section of the perimeter of its receiving opening closest to the discharge opening of said skip. It is possible to place the hinges in other locations also, such as along the respective sides or front of the skip and all these arrangements are within the contemplation ofthis invention. Rigid brackets are fixed to the framework of the skip cover and extend up, and through, the'covering secured to same, at points spaced away from and in a line parallel with, the hinged edge of said cover. There are many other suitable locations and combinations for There may be one' or several brackets fastened to the cover and they may be in any location'on same as long as the members operable in conjunction with them are adapted to said locations, and such is the contemplation of this invention. Cables are fastened to these brackets and anchored'in the rigid structure of the concrete-mixer and are of such a length as to hold the skip cover openwhen the skip is in position to be charged. 4 Latches are fastened to and'pivoted on the sides of the cover close 'to the to conserve cement and not only cause a saving in this regard, but by this junction line of the cover with the skip so as to engage respective pins, aflixed to the skip, when the cover is in the closed position or the converse of this can be adopted, i. e., the latches can be pivoted on the skip and the pins affixed to the cover. Each latch is provided with a spring to hold it in a locked position when the cover is closed. To disengage the latch, a cable is provided, which is fastened to a latch releasing lever at one end, and to the cover-holding cable at the other end. The latch cable is firmly aflixed to the cover-holding cable at a convenient point, and is of such a length that it will become taut slightly before the cover-holding cable does, when the skip cover descends, thus opening the latch and releasing the skip for further descent. This likewise acts to hold the latch in the open position until the skip is raised to meet the cover and assume its weight, at which time the latch cable and cover-holding cable become slack and allow the latch spring to pull the latch into a locked position, thus holding the cover and the skip firmly and positively together.

To avoid noise in the closing of the skip cover the skip is provided with a shock absorbing material along the junction line of its receiving opening with the skip cover.

A more complete understanding of my invention may be had from the following complete description takenin conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a concrete mixer equipped with a skip and skip cover embodying my invention.

Figures 2', 3 and 4 are side elevations of the skip and a fragment of the concrete mixer structure showing successive steps in the operation of my invention,

Figure 2 shows the skip in position to be charged with ingredients, with the cover held open. Figure 3 shows the skip after having been revolved counter-clockwise approximately 60 and Figure 4 shows it after a further revolution in the counter-clockwise direction to its dis charging position.

Figure 5 is an elevation of the skip cover structure showing its fabricated construction with bracket and latch mechanism in detail.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detailed view of the skip cover hinge.

Figure '7 is a sectional view on the line 'I--'! in Figure 4 showing a detail of the shock absorbing construction of the skip and cover junction.

My preferred form of improvement in concrete mixer skips comprises a conventional concrete mixer skip I I, which is pivoted about an axis 24, located in a conventional concrete mixer frame. Said skip is revolved upon its axis by cables 29 and 30, in the usual manner when operated to discharge its contents into the mixing chamber 42.

Attached to the skip are hinges 22 which,.in turn, are afiixed to the skip cover. This cover is formed in my preferred form of this invention by a fabricated steel framework comprised of steel angles and rods welded together to form a rigid structure. Members 25, 21, 28, 45, 41, 48, 60, and BI, being formed of light weight structural steel angles conforming to the contour of the perimeter of the receiving opening of the skip, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. A steel rod 25 is Welded to members 45 and 60 at their free ends to close this contour.

Steel rods M and 35 are formed in a U shape and run transversely, having their ends riveted to the steel angle contour. Longitudinal members 31, 38 and 46 run crosswise of these transverse members, being welded to same at their respective contact points, and being welded at one end thereof to steel angle 28, and at the other end members 38 and 46 are welded to cross member 25 and member 31 is welded to member 4|. Diagonal rods 39 and 40 are welded to the steel angle contour and transverse member 35 at its junction with longitudinal members 38 and 46 in the back panel thereof to stiffen the structure. Another transverse member 34 is formed by a straight steel rod running between steel angles 26 and 21, being welded to same at its respective ends. Gusset plates 33 are welded to the longitudinal members and to transverse member 34 to further stiffen and strengthen the framework. The entire framework is covered with canvas, same being fastened to the steel angle contour and tightly pulled over the steel rod framework.

Although my preferred form of skip cover is constructedv as above outlined, it may be constructed in any other suitable or preferred manner. For example, this cover structure can also be made of built up steel plate and stiffeners adapted to conform to the shape of the perimeter of the receiving opening of the skip, and can further be formed of a single stamped piece of metal or plastic properly strengthened and reinforced. There are many other ways of forming said cover and all are Within the contemplated scope of this invention.

Attached to the structure of said cover and extending through the covering over same is bracket I4. There may be more brackets than one and in the appended drawingstwo brackets are contemplated, but for the sake of simplicity only one will be described. This bracket is formed of steel rod welded to member 38 at points 49 and 50, the legs of said bracket being formed substantially as shown in the appended drawings having an eye 32 at the upper end thereof to receive cable I6. Attached to the concrete mixer framework I8 is a metal bracket I'I. Brackets I4 and I! are then connected by cable I8, said cable being fastened at one end thereof to an eyelet in bracket I! and at the other end to eye 32 in bracket I4 and being of such a length that the skip cover will be held in a predetermined open position when the skip-is in position to be charged with ingredients.

The'latch I2 revolves about a pivot 52 in structural member 27, the pivotal bearing being reinforced by a short steel member 53.

The latch I2 is formed of a piece of strap iron having a shank in which is located a hole to receive pivot 52 and a hooked end formed to engage pin 43 on the skip. To the opposite. end of the strap iron latch is Welded, at an angle of approximately degrees, a short piece of strap iron 5!, having a hole in the end furthest from the weld. A spring 44 is fastened at one end of shaft 5| by passing through this hole. The other end of said spring is fastened to peg 62 in member 21. Cable I5 at one end thereof is attached to shank 5I by passing through said hole, and at the other end to cable I6, the length of cable I5 being such that it will become taut and pull the latch release arm 51 against the tension of spring 44 before cable I6 becomes taut. This action of cable 15 will cause the latch I2 to revolve around its pivot 52 so as to completely release pin 43.

Thus, when the', skipf is", in its horizontal i or loading position and the cover" "held by cable IS in its predetermined open position as shown in Figure. 1, the latches, -2j and 13 will remain open and when the skip H is raised to discharge its contents into mixing chamber 4'2 it will meet the cover and assume, its weight, and in so doing will' cause cables Hi and. I5'to slacken,

tween its junction .23 with same and' bracket I! tobecome taut, thereby causinglatch l2 to disengage from pin 4.3 and releasing skip to be free to descend to its horizontal or loading position. When cable l5 ha'sjpulled'irel'ease lever 5| forward ,sufiiciently tov cause'latch It to disengage'pin 43 the balance of cable It between its junction 23 and eye 32 of bracket I4 becomes taut and assumes the weight of the skip cover, preventing it from descending any further, thereby holding it open at the proper height to allow skip II to be charged with a new batch of inredients.

To prevent impact noises from occurring when skip l I meets the skip cover, a cushioning bumping strip 51 (Figure 7) is fastened along the junction perimeter of the skip cover by bolts 58 fitted with washers 59. In the preferred form of my invention I have formed the bumper strip of soft rubber, but same can be formed of many other cushioning materials, and such is the contemplation of this invention.

In the preferred form of my invention hinges 22 are welded to steel angles 54 and 48 as shown in Figure 6. Steel angle 54 is, in turn, welded to the top of the skip and to steel angle 55, which forms a stifi-ener for the top of said skip. Steel angle 48 is welded to steel angle 28, which latter steel angle forms a portion of the cover structure.

'Other modifications and adaptations of the above disclosures are contemplated, and it is understood that my invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a mixer, a skip, having receiving and discharge openings and movable into a receiving position for receiving materials to be mixed and into a delivery position for delivering the materials to the mixer, a cover for said receiving opening, and means for imparting relative movements to said cover and said skip eifective for positioning said cover over said receiving opening, closing the latter and maintaining it in said position during movement of said skip into delivery position and while it is in its latter position, said means being eiiective for po sitioning said cover to expose said receiving opening during movement of said skip from delivery position to receiving position and to maintain said cover in its latter position while said skip is in receiving position, all of the movements of said cover being initiated and controlled by the movements of the skip.

2. In combination, a mixer, a skip, having receiving and discharge openings, movable into a receiving position for receiving materials to be mixed and into a delivery position for delivering materials to the mixer, cover means for maintaining said receiving opening covered during movement of the skip into delivery position and while it is in its latter position, said cover ;meansbein'g removable to expose said receiving opening'whensaid skip is returned to'receiving position, hinge means joining the cover to the skip, and means operable for opening and'clo'sing said cover by the relative movements of the skip. I

3. In combination, a mixena skip, having receiving and discharge openings, movable into a receiving position for receiving materialsto be mixed and into a delivery position for delivering materials to the mixer, cover means-for maintaining said receiving opening covered during movement of the skip intodelivery position and while it is in its latter position, said cover means being removable to expose said receiving opening whensaid skip is returned to receiving position, hinge means joining the cover to the skip,- and means operable for automatically opening -andclosing said cover by the related movements of the skip. I l

4. In combination, a mixer, a skip, having receiving and discharge openings, movable into a receiving position for receiving materials to be mixed and into a delivery position for delivering materials to the mixer, cover means for maintaining said receiving opening covered during movement of the skip into delivery position and while it is in its latter position, said cover means being removable to expose said receiving opening when said ski'p is returned to receiving position, hinge means joining the cover to theskip, and means adapted to prevent the cover from descending beyond a predetermined position upon the lowering of the skip.

5. In combination, a mixer, a skip, having receiving and discharge openings, movable into a receiving position for receiving materials to be mixed into a delivery position for delivering materials to the mixer, cover means for maintaining said receiving opening covered during movement of the skip into delivery position and while it is in its latter position, said cover means being removable to expose said receiving opening when said skip is returned to receiving position the relative movements of the cover means being caused by operation of the skip, hinge means joining the cover to the skip, latch means for fastening the cover to the skip, when the cover is in its closed position and releasing the cover when same is to be opened the relative movements of the latch means being caused by operation of the skip.

6. In combination, a mixer, a skip, having receiving and discharge openings, movable into a receiving position for receiving materials to be mixed and into a delivery position for delivering materials to the mixer, cover means for maintaining said receiving opening covered during movement of the skip into delivery position and while it is in its latter position, said cover means being removable to expose said receiving open-' ing when said skip is returned to receiving position, hinge means joining the cover to the skip, latch means for fastening the cover to the skip, means operable for automatically opening and closing said cover by the movement of the skip, and in combination therewith locking the latch when the cover is closed and releasing said latch when the cover is to be opened.

7. In combination, a mixer, a skip, having receiving and discharge openings, movable into a receiving position for receiving materialsto be mixed and into a delivery position for delivering materials to the mixer, cover means for maintaining said receiving opening covered during movement of the skip into delivery position-and While it is in its latter position, said cover means beng removable to expose said receiving opening when said skip is returned to receiving position, hinge means joining the cover to the skip, latch means for fastening the cover, in its closed position, to the skip, a-rigid member afiixed to the cover and extending outwardly therefrom to reduce the turning force necessary in operating the cover, a member joining the aforesaid rigid member to the mixerstructure, so as to-prevent the cover from descending below a predetermined'position while permitting it to operate freely above that position, a member connecting the latch to this latter member so that upon descent of the cover to its predetermined position the latch will be released from engagement with the skip prior to its arrival at said position and upon the skip being raised to the point where it meets the cover said latch will be allowed to engage with the skip. I

8. In combination a mixer structure. a skip having receiving and discharge openings therein, a cover for the receiving opening in said skip, hinging means joining the cover to the skip, a latch pivotally mounted on said cover, a lug aifixed to the skip to engage, and work in mutual conjunction, with the latch, means for discharging the skip into the mixer, a spring mechanism to maintain the latch in an engaged position with the lug, and a. member joined to said latch and to a fixed part of the mixer structure to counteract the spring mechanism, when the skip, in descending, passes a predetermined position, and release the latch from its engaged position and when the skip in ascending passes said predetermined position to cause the latch to engage the lug on the skip.

PERCY M. RICHARDS. 

